Emily's Feelin' 22

My name's Emily and I've got a secret. It's a pretty big one, and only a select few that know me have had the priviledge of knowing.. but as I approach my 22nd Birthday (January 3rd, lets mark the calendar people) I've decided to share it with the world.

When I was 17, I was diagnoised with Cushing's Disease and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Having both led me to 2 brain surgeries for pituitary tumors, 2 operations for cysts, some radiation treatment, numerous drug therapies, and 5 years of a roller coaster life so far. Did I mention that all of my medical care is done by phenomenal people at Massachusetts General in Boston? Even though I live in Florida? Lots of flights and even more coffee have been required. And I'm now getting ready to start 2017 by committing to participating in an experimental trial for a new drug being developed to treat Cushing's patients like myself (so lets stay tuned for updates on that one) in an attempt to beat this once and for all.

Now, right off the bat.. you read that and think "Wow, thats a lot. Poor girl" and you immediately count your blessings. Which you should, because don't get me wrong, these past few years have been ROUGH. But personally, to me they have also been incredible. I've learned so much about myself and life, simply from having to FIGHT for it. I never quit school (graduating this Spring with my B.A on time), I never quit working (Presidential elections, United States Air Force, Non-Profit Orgs.. you name it, I've tried it), I never quit doing what scared me (even rushed a sorority and joined an incredible sisterhood) and I NEVER quit living. I've learned to embrace the time I'm given here and to simply do anything & everything that scares me or intriuges me!

But when asked what the absolute hardest part of being "sick" has been, you'd be surprised at my answer. It's not the weekly testing or uncomfortable doctor's visits, where I'm asked to put on the hospitals latest fashion in paper made butt-showing gowns. It's not having to take at one point 43 pills a day or risk passing out without notice. It was never having to be put under to have a neurosurgeon climb inside my head or forced to celebrate a holiday on hospital food instead of my Aunt's killer turkey & stuffing feast. The worst part? Losing my hair.

SECRET TIME: My name's Emily, I'm 21 years old, and I wear a wig. Weird right? Can't really tell. (Shoutout to my wig lady Nancy). But it's true. About 2 years ago, in a small South Florida shop.. my mom held my hand and helped me pick out my first wig. Being sick caused me to lose my hair. The same long, red, natural hair I'd been known for all my life. It was thinning at an incredible rate at that time, and I just wanted to feel like me again. So fortunately my parents were able to afford for me to get a real human hair wig, and let me continue to look like "me" to the outside world.

I chuckle everytime someone compliments me on my hair now and how beautiful it is (especially strangers) because my response is always "Thanks! She's fake!" and their expression is rather priceless usually. But the truth is that losing your hair as a woman, especially a young one, isn't easy. You feel like you've lost yourself. You feel defeated and de-feminized, and when you're already down.. this just makes it worse. You go out in public and just assume everyone can tell. And the sympathetic looks you get from strangers, although kind, can make you want to crawl in a hole and hide.

That's why I'm doing this. Because no child should feel the way I did. No family should have to hold back tears and be strong, like mine did. So, for my 22nd Birthday, I'm asking the friends, family, and beautiful people in my life that have supported me thus far to help me support another. My goal is to raise $2,200 in 22 days for my 22nd Birthday!


This money will allow me to help sponsor 2 children who suffer from hair loss through the non-profit organization "Wigs For Kids". The children I sponsor will receive Wigs designed specifically for them at no cost, and allow them to face the mirror - and life - head-on!

So please, don't send me a Starbucks card or a LUSH Bath Bomb (although they are rather incredible!). And as much as I appreciate the cash or "buy yourself something fun!" VISA giftcards with motivational quotes attached.. I'd much rather you help me help 2 others, by donating here.

For more information on the work Wigs For Kids does, visit http://www.wigsforkids.org/! Tom Greiner, the financial manager for Wigs For Kids, will be handling the funds being transferred at the end of this campaign.